Squealing brakes on a SL55 AMG with F1 Performance Package
Squealing brakes on a SL55 AMG with F1 Performance Package
Author
Discussion

CycleSi

Original Poster:

511 posts

222 months

Saturday 4th July 2009
quotequote all
lt has the 390mm discs and internally ceramic composite upgraded brakes (whatever they are) and despite two MB Dealers and one good Independent looking at them (copper grease on pads, etc.) they are STILL squealing and driving me mad.

Any ideas/tips?

Would replacing the pads cure it?

Classy6

421 posts

206 months

Sunday 5th July 2009
quotequote all
What have the garages said?

Does it only do it when cold (brakes)? Are the brakes all original equipment? How worn are the pads and the discs? Is the squeak front or rear?

CycleSi

Original Poster:

511 posts

222 months

Sunday 5th July 2009
quotequote all
The two MB Dealers just talked about "deglazing" them and this made no difference.

The Indie put copper grease on the back of the pads and l thought at first they had cured it, but they are still squealing.

It doesn't do it when the brakes are cold.

As far as l know the brakes are standard AMG equipment.

The pads are half worn, but don't know about the discs (the car has done 42k miles).

It is the front brakes that are squealing.



nick355gts

128 posts

234 months

Monday 6th July 2009
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I know its of no consolation but mine also does this! Horrid under light braking (normal pressure of day to day braking)
I have heard that they are notorious for it, but equally would love to know a fix!

Rumble up to the lights in your shiney 55 and then deafen everyone with a nasty squeal! then of course they get the added joy of the chirp when the supercharger engages as you pull away! haha.. actually not that funny! :-/

CycleSi

Original Poster:

511 posts

222 months

Monday 6th July 2009
quotequote all
In some ways then l'm glad it's not just mine but that doesn't really help either of us.

l wonder if a different pad might cure it (EBC or something)?

Apparently there are 8 pads - one for each piston? Does that sound correct?

Classy6

421 posts

206 months

Monday 6th July 2009
quotequote all
Different pads may cure it. I remember someone telling me a few months back that BMW had to recall a bunch of cars due to the poor quality of the pads were making the brakes squeal.

Would you happen to know whether it's on it's original brakes? Unlikely at that mileage but it's possible that pads have been replaced onto part worn discs that could also cause the noise - especially if they were never bedded in properly.

CycleSi

Original Poster:

511 posts

222 months

Monday 6th July 2009
quotequote all
l've got no way of telling unfortunately.

Would MB have it in their records?

B15TT0

1,204 posts

271 months

Tuesday 7th July 2009
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nick355gts said:
Then of course they get the added joy of the chirp when the supercharger engages as you pull away! haha.. actually not that funny! :-/
Is that what that is? Any easy fix - it only seems to do it occasionally.

I assumed I could peraps just get the belts adjusted at next service or something?

nickco201

136 posts

216 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
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I didn't think MB offered actual carbon ceramic brakes even in the performance pack on most of their cars.

iluvmercs

7,541 posts

256 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
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nickco201 said:
I didn't think MB offered actual carbon ceramic brakes even in the performance pack on most of their cars.
They did an "F1 Edition" CL55 AMG (non-supercharged) which had proper carbon-ceramic front brakes.
These Performance Pack brakes are larger with carbon composite pads, but steel discs, AFAIK. I don't know whether the pads are carbon composite front and rear, or just up front.

Darren

Classy6

421 posts

206 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
quotequote all
More than likely IMO - the fault is due to the fact that NEW pads have been used on WORN discs.

If the car has had it's servicing done at a dealer... then yes, they can find out all the work that's been completed throughout it's life. If it's been to an independent no chance, unless you know which one it is & they keep good records lol.

Without looking at the car, it's hard to diagnose any further. I can only assume that the 3 garages have efficiently done their jobs properly and carried out the obvious repairs for squeaking brakes.

If it was my car now in your situation, I would take it back to your local dealership. Tell them whatever they did, did not sort the problem out and get them to look at it again.

I expect if they cannot clean it all up and do no more without replacing the brakes that they will advise you to replace the pads & discs completely.
However I can only imagine this will come at enormous cost to yourself due to the carbon ceramic discs & won't be covered by warranty or goodwill due to brakes being wear & tear (if it was in warranty, or just out). DONT be scared to ask for a bit of discount if you need to buy any parts either wink

CycleSi

Original Poster:

511 posts

222 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
quotequote all
So you don't reckon it's worth me getting new pads fitted then?

Classy6

421 posts

206 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
quotequote all
CycleSi said:
So you don't reckon it's worth me getting new pads fitted then?
Tough call and impossible to say.

It's in your court really mate, if the discs are worn out, it increases the chances of squealing when new fit new pads on worn discs. Problem being, 99% of the time it'll be OK on any other car if you do fit new pads on partially worn (but OK) discs.

The fact you have an actual problem with brake squeal & garages can't fault the setup puts you in a situation where you have a good chance of really eliminating the problem by replacing the two main components, although I appreciate - at cost.

CycleSi

Original Poster:

511 posts

222 months

Friday 10th July 2009
quotequote all
l think you're right. l have three options:

1) Put up with the noise.
2) Replace the pads.
3) Replace the discs and pads.

At the moment 1) and 3) are non starters so if l can replace the pads l will - it's just a question of do l go for original MB genuine pads or something aftermarket like EBC Redstuff?


sneijder

5,231 posts

263 months

Saturday 11th July 2009
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Who changed the pads ?

I had to source some pads for one of the first CL55 F1 specials. AMG said they weren't their pads, and I ended up having to get them from McLaren.

I had a ride in an SLR that had new discs fitted. They were supposed to be worn in by anchoring on at 140 down to about 50 a few times. The owner hadn't done this, and it wasn't so much of a squeal as a sort of running water sound. It doesn't sound like that does it ?

CycleSi

Original Poster:

511 posts

222 months

Saturday 11th July 2009
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lt's a high pitch squeal when the brakes have warmed up at slow crawling speed (less than 5 mph).

sneijder

5,231 posts

263 months

Saturday 11th July 2009
quotequote all
IIRC they weren't supposed to have copper grease used wih them. Are they AMG calipers ?

CycleSi

Original Poster:

511 posts

222 months

Sunday 12th July 2009
quotequote all
Yes, it is the complete SL55 AMG upgraded F1 Performance Package brakes so it has AMG calipers